Fall at New York City's New Amsterdam Market

This past Sunday I visited one of my favorite markets, the New Amsterdam Market. Located right beside the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, this market features some of the best local food in town.

Unlike a more traditional farmers' market, the New Amsterdam Market features few produce stands and an abundance of specialty food purveyors. This also means tons of samples! It was designed in the style of old-fashioned stall markets that used to be commonplace before modern supermarkets existed.

Stalls are five to a row, each structured around a New Amsterdam Market blackboard and printed purveyor sign. Each stand is manned with a few friendly people who are happy to explain the origin of the food they're selling and details on how it's made.

TOP ROW1 The New Amsterdam Market sets up shop under FDR Drive, just north of the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan.2 Pumpkins fit for NYC apartments (small!) for sale at Do Re Me Farms.3Hudson Valley Duck Farm displays samples of their duck salami and duck rillettes -- both delicious!4 Charming local chef Joshua Stoker offers free cooking advice and recipes. 5Mast Brothers Chocolate display their iconic packaging and chocolate varieties.

MIDDLE ROW6 Traditional dense, circular Finnish ruis bread at Nordic Breads. Made with 100% organic wholegrain rye, it's surprisingly tasty and all natural. 7 A big pot of Sunday gravy, a.k.a. tomato meat sauce, courtesy of Table Tales caterers.8 The folks behind People's Pops make shaved ice fresh to order and sell popsicles in flavors like yellow watermelon and mint, concord grape, and pumpkin pie.9Brooklyn Oenology offers several varieties of wine, all crafted from grapes grown in Long Island and the Fingerlakes. And their wines feature cool labels designed by local artists!10Cooperstown Cheese had some pretty artisinal cheese to showcase.

Some of my other favorite market finds include the slow-cooked porchetta sandwiches at Porchetta, the beer and pretzel caramels (made with Brooklyn Brewery beer!) at Liddabit Sweets and Kombucha Brooklyn, who have their homemade kombucha available on tap at the market.

The New Amsterdam Market runs Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check purveyors and special events through their website: New Amsterdam Market.